A bowl of freshly cut, fragrant peonies. A custom-designed suit made to measure. A spacious bathroom with heated floors. It’s the little details that make the biggest impact. From special amenities only found in luxury hotels to a one-of-a-kind piece of art from a trip to Africa, details make a house a home and take interior design from everyday to amazing.

Here are some of our favorite ways interior designers incorporate little details to achieve effortless chic.

Contrast = Interest

There’s a reason the saying “opposites attract” has never gone out of fashion. That’s because pairing patterns, colors and objects that contrast creates drama and intrigue. Contrast in interior design can be achieved by simply placing black and gray pillows against a white sofa, or by using scale and pattern – as seen in the image above – to create a sophisticated and surprisingly harmonious result.

Boldly contrasting textures can also add interest to a space, as seen in Lindsey Coral Harper’s design for Perspective Los Angeles. A bamboo sofa upholstered in plush Birds of Paradise – Macaw by Holly Hunt is trimmed with white Sunbrella fringe, an unexpected and playful contrasting texture.

Custom Creations

You could go to a furniture showroom and purchase an entire staged vignette for your living room or bedroom. However, our homes are personal, and they feel more special when they incorporate one-of-a-kind accessories, custom-built furniture or a vintage piece that has been carefully restored.

An interior designer can provide access to fabrics only available to the trade, as well as custom upholsterers and local artisans who can create one-of-a-kind pieces like specially designed decorative pillows that you can’t get anywhere else. Have a vintage chair that needs a makeover? An interior designer can make suggestions for the perfect fabric, and decide whether the chair should incorporate details like tufting, fabric-covered button trim or welt cording.

Patterns and Textures

It isn’t easy to pull off the perfect mix of patterns, colors and textures to create a beautiful setting worthy of a magazine cover. Little details – like the vertical folds in the custom-designed lampshades above – play off the pleated drapery and upholstery patterns to tie the space together.

For a space that craves comfort, textural details add to the sophistication of the design. Layering plush fabrics in everyday spaces like a living room brings forth the feeling of comfort and luxury often associated with a bedroom. A classic color palette of navy blue and white allows the depth and texture of the design to take center stage.

How do you use the little details in a space to make a big impact? Let us know in the comments below

courtesy of Sunbrella Blog